Put insurance back on my car this week and I'm 32 days over Service A as indicated by on board computer. I'm planning on doing my oil change by myself for the first time on this car so I decided to go over a few steps and check ups tonight after the red wings loss I checked the oil level on the computer and it said it was OK so I popped the hood and went to open the oil filler cap to make sure everything looked good underneath (like no white gunk) and I swear I cannot turn it. Said to myself lefty loosey right tighty about 200 times and it wont budge....Am I doing something wrong?

Another thing is, I have one of the $100 off coupons from MB and im wondering whether or not to just take it to the dealer for service A? What do you guys think?

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My old oil cap had this same issue of not coming off. I use to use a Pipe Wrench to open it. I finally just bought a new one because the old one was so scratched up and the new one does not have this issue.

The coupon is up to you i would say it depends on how much they charge if you can do it for less than the cost of oil and filter i say go for it otherwise it depends on how much you value your time. I usually get my oil changed at the dealer or Indy for less than $100 or can do it myself for like $65 it depends on what mood i am in lol

You might take off the plastic cover and spray penetrating oil around the cap and let it soak for a bit. Glue two half inch dowels in the end of a 2x4 and use the dowels like fingers to take the cap off. The wood should not damage the cap and the 2x4 should give you plenty of leverage. Polish the interface before you put the cap back on the engine.

Moviela, I understand the reason why you are suggesting wood piece (not to scratch the surface), but a 2x4 to open oil filler cap? :-)

Petey, I don't mean to sound too harsh, if you are having difficulty opening the oil fill cap, it may be wise to let someone else do the oil change for the first time and you watch the entire process. Next time onwards, you can do the oil change yourself. About the $100 coupon, my suggestion is to use that on something only available at dealers.

I thought about it last night and I figured it could have been because the engine wasn't at operating temp. And I did take the engine cover off, I'm not new to Mercedes oil changes I've just never done an oil change on this car. Thanks for the input guys.

Mine was the same way. Got a new cap and it comes of nice and easy now. I tried at first to bend the metal tabs in the underside of the old cap but it was no help. Get a new one or use a big wrench and happy scratching.

I have an M271 engine and I've had this problem for years and on my 3rd cap (they obviously did not alter it with subsequent redesigns), Can't figure out why it is so hard to remove as the rubber seal is always lubricated.

I keep an old pair of standard pliers in the trunk and use the rubber coated handles to put across the cap and slowly twist. This practice does not mark nor break the cap. Don't use the metal part of the plier!

I had the same problem and still do even after buying a new cap. I bought a strap wrench and that did the trick. Once I loosen it 1/8 to 1/4 turn it spins right off. Thanks for the suggestion about removing the engine cover. Mine leaves so little room to grip the cap with my fingers.

I called around different dealerships yesterday while at work and I got a quote of 169.99 for service A and with the $100 off voucher I'll get it for 69.99. I'll just let them worry about getting the cap open. Its gonna be cheaper for me going that route since it costs less than the oil I'm gonna have to buy.